Shohei Ohtani's legal representatives have leveled accusations of significant embezzlement against his interpreter, alleging a connection to suspected gambling activities.

March 21, 2024

Shohei Ohtani's legal representatives have leveled accusations of significant embezzlement against his interpreter, alleging a connection to suspected gambling activities.

Shohei Ohtani's legal team alleged that his interpreter was involved in a significant embezzlement scheme, using the baseball player's funds to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker who is under federal investigation. This accusation arose following inquiries from The Times, during which Ohtani's representatives investigated the actions of the interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. According to sources familiar with the situation, the amount of money involved is estimated to be in the millions of dollars. Berk Brettler, a law firm based in West Hollywood, released a statement stating, "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

Efforts to contact Mizuhara were fruitless, and it remains uncertain whether he has retained legal representation.

According to anonymous sources familiar with the matter, Mizuhara allegedly placed bets with Bowyer.

The Dodgers terminated Mizuhara's employment on Wednesday, as confirmed by a team spokesperson. One source indicated that Mizuhara was not forthcoming when questioned about The Times' inquiries. Despite this, he continued to serve as Ohtani's interpreter on Wednesday in Seoul.

Ohtani, an international sensation, who inked a historic 10-year, $700-million deal with the Dodgers in December following a six-year stint with the Angels, was unavailable for comment. He is currently in Seoul with the Dodgers for a season-opening series against the San Diego Padres.

According to a spokesman, prosecutors have not reached out to Major League Baseball.

Bowyer's attorney, Diane Bass, based in Irvine, stated that her client has not faced any charges. Federal agents conducted a raid on Bowyer's residence in San Juan Capistrano last year as part of the ongoing investigation.

Bass informed The Times that Bowyer had no interaction with Ohtani. "Mathew Bowyer never met, spoke with, texted, or had any form of contact with Shohei Ohtani," she stated.

Requests for comment made to the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles, which is supervising the investigation, went unanswered.

The MLB gambling policy prohibits "any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee" from engaging in betting activities related to baseball or making illicit bets on other sports. While MLB rules do not specify the punishment for gambling with an illegal bookmaker or their agent, it is determined by the Commissioner based on the specific circumstances of the behavior.

The investigation into Bowyer involves the same prosecuting team that has targeted an illegal sports gambling operation, reportedly worth millions of dollars, based in Orange County, as per sources and court records cited by The Times. At least twelve individuals have been indicted in this broader investigation, which includes former Dodger Yasiel Puig, who has pleaded not guilty. The focus of the probe was a bookmaking enterprise led by former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix of Newport Beach, according to records.

A source informed The Times that Bowyer had boasted to acquaintances in Las Vegas about having a connection to Ohtani. The source suggested that Bowyer did so for promotional purposes in his purported bookmaking venture.

Following the publication of The Times' article, ESPN reported that an unnamed spokesperson for Ohtani informed the sports outlet earlier that the baseball player was settling Mizuhara's gambling debts with Bowyer. According to ESPN, the spokesperson then arranged for Mizuhara to share this version of events in an interview, but later disclaimed the statement.

Mizuhara, who was born in Japan and raised in Southern California, graduated from Diamond Bar High School in 2003, where he was a member of the soccer team, before attending UC Riverside.

Mizuhara initially crossed paths with Ohtani while serving as an English-language interpreter for American players on the Nippon-Ham Fighters, Ohtani’s Japanese team in the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Upon Ohtani's signing with the Angels in late 2017, Mizuhara assumed the role of his personal interpreter. Mizuhara continued with Ohtani to the Dodgers during the offseason.

Throughout Ohtani's MLB career, Mizuhara has been a constant presence alongside the notably private player. The two typically commute to the ballpark together, and Mizuhara has assisted with errands such as grocery runs when Ohtani was injured. They are seldom seen apart around team facilities. Additionally, their spouses have recently begun spending time together during the team's current trip to South Korea.

In recent times, Ohtani has risen to prominence as the face of Major League Baseball and has become one of the most celebrated athletes globally. Prior to joining the Dodgers, Ohtani was the most coveted free agent in baseball history, and the magnitude of his contract is similarly unprecedented.

Bowyer has been mentioned in numerous court documents over the years, including a case where he faced a $1.75 million judgment for defaulting on a line of credit issued to him by Foxwoods Resort Casino, a tribal gambling establishment in Connecticut. This judgment was imposed by a tribal court in April 2019, and an application to enforce the judgment was filed by the casino's attorney in Orange County Superior Court in May 2023. As of now, the judgment remains outstanding.

Additionally, the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas filed a lawsuit in July 2011, alleging that Bowyer had issued a $250,000 check that bounced. However, this case was dismissed six months later.

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